Our experts dove down the rabbit hole, researching over 70 top models before buying and testing 11 of the best. We tested them in the field and the lab for weeks to sort out their relative strengths and weaknesses. We clipped them to our packs in the high Sierra and for a week-long winter camping trip and Katahdin ascent in Maine.
- 1 long range walkie talkies 50 miles
- 2 long range walkie talkies 1000 miles
- 3 Best long distance walkie talkie
- 4 Types of Long Range Walkie-Talkies
- 5 What You Should Know Before Buying Best Walkie Talkies For Long Distance
- 6 What should I consider when choosing a long-distance intercom?
- 7 How much does a long-distance intercom cost?
- 8 How do I care for and maintain my long-distance intercom?
- 9 Are long-distance intercoms legal to use?
- 10 What is the farthest a walkie talkie can reach?
- 11 How far can a walkie talkie reach in a city?
- 12 Can walkie talkies be traced?
- 13 Do walkie talkies work through walls?
- 14 Are walkie talkies good for emergencies?
Long-range walkie-talkies often referred to as two-way radios, have evolved into an instrument that is indispensable to various sectors, including the outdoor recreation community. Because they enable clear and dependable communication over a large range of distances, they are an excellent choice for activities that take place in the great outdoors, such as hiking, camping, and hunting, as well as for professionals working in industries such as construction and security.
Whether you’re setting out on a backpacking trip or heading into the backcountry in winter, being able to communicate is key. Our expert team of athletes and guides have also tested the best handheld GPS units for backcountry navigation and top satellite messengers for sending out an SOS call or tracking progress on the trail.
The 11 Best Walkie Talkie for Long Distance of 2023：Our choice
| Best for outdoors | Midland 50 Channel Waterproof |
| Best super long range | Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio |
| Best with extra features | Walkie Talkies with 22 FRS Channels |
| Best wearable | DEWALT DXFRS300 |
| Best ease of use | Long Range Walkie Talkies |
| Best value | Midland 36 Channel FRS Two |
| Best heavy duty | pxton Walkie Talkies Long Range |
| Best battery life | GOCOM G600 FRS Two Way Radio |
1.Midland 50 Channel Waterproof
- Pros: Great price, whisper mode, weather alerts
- Cons: Consumes battery faster than other two-ways on this list, not great in the mountains
- Best for: Recreation, business, security, line of sight, and flat land applications
The rechargeable Midland 50 Channel GMRS is easily one of the best long-range walkie-talkie two-way radios of 2023, and for good reason. This set can send and receive transmissions in open areas as far as 36 miles, which provides a massive advantage for those in open areas that need to communicate effectively.
They work great even when obstructed, but bear in mind the range will shorten. Expect about a mile of coverage in obstructed terrain and five miles in semi-obstructed landscape. Midland priced these babies to sell, so they’re an excellent value when considering their range.
These feature a VOX setting and whisper mode, which is great for hunters or security personnel who need to speak quietly into their walkie-talkie and still be heard. I found this feature particularly useful on my 2021 elk hunt.
Midland 50 channel GMRS radios also have 143 different privacy codes giving you 3,000+ channel options to keep your conversations private. They also feature NOAA weather alerts for those who need an incoming warning of inclement weather.
Also read：6 Best Remote Walkie Talkies for 2023
2.Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio
About this item:
- Call Tones: A call tone is what people calling you can hear instead of the normal default ring. It grabs the attention of your family and friends before you start speaking.
- Quickly Find a Channel: Use the scanning feature to see which channels are currently in use.
- Flashing Low Battery Alert: Low battery alert reminds you when batteries are running low.
- Keypad Lock: Keypad lock prevents your personalized settings from being inadvertently changed.
The Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts, as it comes in a pack of three for easy communication with friends and family. One of its standout features is the call tone, allowing you to customize the sound that others hear when you call them. The scanning feature makes it easy to find an available channel, while the flashing low battery alert ensures that you never run out of power unexpectedly.
Finally, the keypad lock helps to keep your settings secure and prevents any accidental changes to your preferred settings. This feature-packed radio is an excellent choice for those who are always on the go and need a reliable and user-friendly communication device.
3.Walkie Talkies with 22 FRS Channels
This 22 FRS channel set of walkie-talkies is very affordable for a set that has a range of three to five miles depending on obstructions. The less obstruction, the greater the distance.
They are very lightweight in size with a durable body. The T5 also comes with a hands-free operation (VOX) that allows hikers, hunters, bikers, and campers to use the walkie-talkies without using their hands. These are geared more towards families for hiking and camping but have a wide range of uses.
These family walkie-talkies take four AAA batteries, and users have reported extremely good battery life from these standard alkaline batteries. Now, these walkie-talkies don’t have all the bells and whistles that others might have, but they are basic and simple. These have a very simple user interface that even kids can use very simply.These would be a great option for the casual hiker, camper, or hunter who does not plan to get too far away from the other members of their party.
Also read：The best walkie talkie for security of 2023
Pros
- Shock-resistant design and IP67 standard,
- Backlit LCD display,
- UHF/FM reception,
- VOX, Key Lock, Auto Squelch, and Power Saver functions
Cons
- Speaker could be louder,
- Cheap belt clips
Along with being compact and lightweight, the DEWALT DXFRS300 Heavy-Duty Walkie-Talkies have a brilliant battery life with more than 12 hours of frequent use. While it is not that powerful and loud at 1 watt, it is very efficient and helps to save energy. The walkie-talkies offer exceptional UHF/FM reception with reduced interference and noises thanks to the auto squelch function.
These are optimal for construction sites since their housing can survive 2-meter drops. Additionally, these have IP67 water-resistance rating.The backlit LCD display makes it easy to check the remaining power and current channel. Just like with many other radios, the weakest point here is a belt clip.
Pros
- Easy to use,
- Has a weather alert feature,
- Portable, rainproof and have dust protection,
- Made of premium ABS material which is safe and durable.
Cons
- Transmission is not very clear,
- The PTT button is not reliable.
The Lone Range Walkie Talkie is extremely easy to use for both kids and adults. It features an LCD back-lit display which comes in handy when used at night. It is also very easy to install and is available in a variety of colors.
It has about 22 preset channels and 121 privacy codes which prevents eavesdropping and allows communication with a number of people if you are on the same channel. It also has a Weather alert system which will notify about the weather conditions and forecast so you can plan accordingly.
This Walkie Talkie is also relatively cheap, so its the best buy if you are on a budget.
Also read：7 Best Walkie Talkies for Kids
Pros
- Water resistant,
- Ability to operate silently,
- Clear and quality sounds,
- Presence of NOA weather alert and scan feature,
- Portabilty,
- Presence of VOX voice control.
Cons
- Long scanning time for channels,
- Weak battery life.
Midland LXT639VP3 FRS walkie talkie can be used for both outdoor and indoor activities. The radio has the ability to cover a range of about 30 miles. It is portable in size and it also water resistant. The two-way radio is powered by 2 AAA batteries which last for up to 6 hours. It also gives a clear and quality sound even when signals are transmitted from a long distance. The two-way radio has a special HI/LO settings feature that you can use to regulate the transmission power, this feature helps you preserve the battery life of the radio. It can also operate silently by turning off all the tones. It also has the NOA weather scan and alert that notifies you about climate emergency and also helps to select suitable weather band channel automatically. However, it takes a longer time for the radio to scan through and select a channel.
7.pxton Walkie Talkies Long Range
At a $50 price point, the PX-888S gets four walkie-talkies with earpieces for hands-free use, lithium-ion battery packs, chargers, belt clips, slings, and antennas. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this set. These have an effective range between half a mile and three miles, depending on the number of obstructions in the area.
These are very simple, straightforward, and easy-to-use walkie-talkies that are about half the size of an iPhone. It also comes with an advanced built-in flashlight that can come in handy in emergencies.
These come with their own rechargeable batteries and convenient charging dock, which is great but can be a hassle when out in the backcountry. However, with infrequent use, such as having the walkie-talkie on standby, will stretch the battery life out to almost five days. Frequent use will be 8-12 hours.
8.GOCOM G600 FRS Two Way Radio
Pros:
- 32-mile range excellent for outdoors
- 75 hours of battery life with USB charging
- Safety features like flashlight and alarm
- NOAA weather radio and scanning
- Convenient IPX4 water proofing
Cons:
- Not ideal for urban spaces
- Charging port can break quite easily
If you’re looking for the most efficient and reliable long range walkie talkies you can buy for a budget price, then GOCOM has you covered.This set of long-range walkie talkies comes with a 32-mile range, so you can clearly communicate with friends and family in open areas.These walkies do work better in open areas, so you should avoid using them in crowded cities.
Both compact and convenient, these walkie talkies will give you access to up to 22 service channels (all family-friendly), and there’s a privacy code system too.You also get the benefit of up to 75 hours of battery life per charge, and IPX4 water resistance for splashes and dust.
Features include:
- Robust 32-mile range
- Smart LCD screen for accessing information
- Danger alarm function
- LED flashlight
- Up to 2,662 channels and 22 family-friendly options
- NOAA weather scanning and alerts
- 75 hours of battery life
- IPX4 water resistant
- USB quick charge
Despite their affordable price tag, these products stood out during our long-range walkie talkies reviews, thanks to their excellent additional features and easy functionality.Whether you’re using the LED flashlight or threat alarm, you’ll have no problem with GOCOM.Do be aware that the charging port can break quite easily though.
long range walkie talkies 50 miles
Uniden Two Way radios keep you in touch whether you are out camping, shopping, biking or caravanning on the highway. Rated at up to 50 miles, these two-way radios provide great range when there is a clear view between the radios. Your actual range may be limited by hills, buildings, trees, and other obstructions.
With 22 channels, and 142 Privacy Codes/142 Direct Call Codes there’s always an open line for uninterrupted communications. And since the SX507 operates on industry-standard frequencies, you can easily communicate with people using other models or brands.
Uniden SX507-2CKHS is certified JIS7 and can be submerged in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. On the plus side it floats, so you wont have to dive underwater to retrieve it.
long range walkie talkies 1000 miles
10.Retevis RB20 Walkie Talkie Phones
The Retevis RT20 is a two-way radio that was created specifically for communicating over extended distances. It is a portable radio that is built to last and is easy to carry, making it ideal for usage in a wide range of environments, including warehouses, construction sites, and even outdoor activities. Long battery life, 16 channels, and an integrated flashlight are just a few of the features that are included with it.
In addition to that, it features an emergency alert, a low battery alarm, and a keypad lock, all built right in. It is a solution for communication in both directions that is both cost-effective and applicable in a variety of contexts.
Best long distance walkie talkie
Pros
- Affordable, sleek and thin, good sound quality
Cons
- Lower power than allowed by law, less-range, have to program
Best for: Businesses and security, those who want to hide their walkie or have it tucked away on their belt
Even though these LUITONs represent a budget long-range walkie-talkies option, they are not cheap in quality. They feature excellent audio quality and have a reasonably decent range compared to FRS radios for how small they are.
One thing people love about these is their thin and simple design. Their sleekness makes them great for applications where you don’t want a big cumbersome radio but still need to communicate effectively.
These affordable long-range two-way radios are not as powerful as the Midlands I recommended earlier (2-2, 5W). Still, they are reliable and easy to use if you don’t anticipate needing them for over a mile of an obstructed range.
Ultimately, you’ll have to tinker a bit by programming them to GMRS/FRS frequencies to maximize their functionality. If you need to know what this entails, please check the owner’s manual or visit LUITON’s website to learn more.
Types of Long Range Walkie-Talkies
There are different types of long-range walkie-talkies, and the differences are mostly in what kind of service the walkie-talkies provide or can handle. Most fall into one of two categories.
The first is the FRS or Family Radio Service, and the second is GMRS or General Mobile Radio Service.
- FRS walkie-talkies. FRS platform devices do not require a license and come standard with a set of 22 frequencies that are controlled by the FCC. FRS radios are regulated to restrict their transmission frequency and output power which will affect the actual distance of the walkie-talkie. Most of these are regulated to a maximum of two watts of power which produces somewhere between 20 to 35 miles of range.
- GMRS devices. These require a license to use due to their additional range. They are limited to five watts of power which allows them to have a larger maximum range than their FRS counterparts. This license has to be obtained before you use a GMRS radio, and you have to abide by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations.
What You Should Know Before Buying Best Walkie Talkies For Long Distance
Range Of Coverage
The range of a walkie-talkie is one of the most important factors to look for when buying this device. Regardless of solid construction, a good walkie-talkie set should provide an optimum range coverage of 25 to 30 miles on limited frequencies of 400-512 MHz with some ultra-high frequency range.
The range coverage may vary due to unclear whether or location-based obstacles. It can be increased by optimizing the built-in components like antenna and signal receivers that may also enhance its overall functionality. Always remember that range coverage of a walkie-talkie set largely depends on the weather, location, distance, and geography factors.
Battery Life
Usually, a walkie-talkie battery shelf life can lasts up to 18 to 24 months. Currently, most of the walkie-talkies come with rechargeable batteries that you can use and recharge multiple times before their final point of exhaustion.
The component that determines the battery life of a walkie-talkie is the cell. There are two types of cells: premium-grade cells and low-tier cells. Each type has its impact on capacity and cycle life. Generally, picking a walkie talkie with premium-grade cells will ensure a longer capacity of 10% more than the standard one.
Most of the Motorola build models have used premium-grade cells.
Channels And Privacy Codes
Not all the walkie-talkies in the market are private and secure. If you want to build safe and reliable communication, you need to have a privacy code enabled walkie-talkie set to function on specific channels.
Privacy codes are an effective way of communication via radios while you need an end to end encryption. It is beneficial to have privacy and interruption-free communication. These days, advanced walkie-talkies are coming with Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) or CDCSS (Continuous Digital Coded Squelch System) that lets you set your privacy codes to keep others away from your channels.
Durability
When we take walkie talkies on expeditions, chances of it getting damaged are high. They can be kicked, smashed, or dropped by mistake no matter how much care you put into handling them. A good walkie-talkie should have a casing made of ideally steel or plastic and most of its parts should be able to resist any small hurts. Water-proofing and dust-proofing are major factors to determine the durability of a walkie-talkie. It can be tested through an IP number passed by International Electrotechnical Commission for each device. The combination of these two numbers will tell you of the protection level of a walkie-talkie. For instance, it is 0-6 for dust resistance and 0-9 for water resistance. The higher the number is, the better the protection will be.
Hands Free Communication
Hands-free communication in a walkie-talkie set is a combination of two features, the VOX and the second one is jacking for the microphone.
A VOX (Voice-activated) feature turns on the microphone whenever you speak towards the radio from an adequate distance. Thus, it lets you operate the walkie-talkie in a hands-free mode. Mountain bikers and hikers found it to be a very useful thing while on a voyage.
Jacks for microphone and headphones are the other feature in a walkie-talkie that enables hand-free communication where you cannot hold the set like while cycling, kayaking, or skiing.
Walkie talkie models with a PPT button placed at an access point is a more convenient option rather than a VOX feature where you cannot fully control voice transmitting.
Noaa Weather Alert
Having a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) enabled walkie-talkie is a must-have while planning outdoor recreational activities like hiking, camping, or going to mountains in order to avoid any unforeseen weather surprises.
A walkie-talkie with the support of the NOAA feature can proactively tell you in advance about emergency weather conditions that may arise in your way ahead. They constantly broadcast weather alerts from your local NOAA stations while roaming around the outskirts. The SAME is the most advanced technology in this regard, by which you can limit the alerts based on your described area and the alert type needed. There are some models that perform well in waters while others are good in forests and mountains.
Price Ranges vs. Features
Long-range walkie-talkies come in all different price ranges, but the features that are available will help determine the price range as well. Also, be sure to pay attention to how many handheld devices are being sold together. For instance, some come in single sets or pairs, while others come in sets of four, six, or eight. Be sure to keep this in mind when shopping around.
- Under $50. If you are a casual hiker, camper, or weekend hunter that doesn’t venture too far off the path or away from your party, a basic walkie-talkie with some limited range will be perfectly fine, and a good set can be picked up for well under $50. But don’t expect high performance for going cheap. In the case of walkie-talkies, you definitely get what you pay for.
- $50-$100. In the higher price ranges is when you start getting into more features such as longer range, weather alerts, built-in led flashlights, and better sound quality. A reliable set can be had for under $100, but if you are looking for more bells and whistles, such as on the Motorola T800, the price may be even higher. Don’t be afraid to pay for what you want. You won’t be sorry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Long Distance Intercoms
Long-distance intercoms can be classified based on their range, frequency bands, and technology. Some common types of intercoms include UHF (Ultra High Frequency), VHF (Very High Frequency), and FRS (Family Radio Service).
What should I consider when choosing a long-distance intercom?
When choosing a long-distance intercom, you should consider the range, battery life, durability, and cost of the device. You should also consider whether you need additional features such as weather resistance, hands-free operation, and the ability to connect to other devices.
How much does a long-distance intercom cost?
The cost of a long-distance intercom can vary widely, depending on the features and capabilities of the device. Basic models can cost as little as $30, while more advanced models can cost several hundred dollars.
How do I care for and maintain my long-distance intercom?
To care for and maintain your long-distance intercom, you should keep it clean, dry, and protected from physical damage. You should also replace the batteries or charge the battery according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Are long-distance intercoms legal to use?
Long-distance intercoms are generally legal to use, but you should check with your local authorities to ensure that they are allowed in your area. Some countries and regions have restrictions on the use of certain frequencies or types of radio devices.
What is the farthest a walkie talkie can reach?
Manufacturers often label what is the furthest range their walkie talkies can handle. However, one important thing to note here is that often, manufacturers will indicate the furthest distance base on the assumption that there is no obstruction between two walkies. However, they fail to apply it to real-life situations where one will face a lots of natural obstacles in the way like trees, rocks and terrain. Thus, it is still important to read reviews of the walkie-talkie you have in mind first prior to purchase.
How far can a walkie talkie reach in a city?
The range of a walkie is extremely dependent on the individual brand/ model and also the type of landscape you’re using it on. In cityscapes, radio waves are very sensitive and can be easily disrupted by something as simple as a piece of concrete/ metal/ plaster in between you and the other party. It can also be disrupted by electro-magnetic waves (EMW) which we cannot tell with the naked eye.[1]How far can Walkie Talkies reach?
Can walkie talkies be traced?
Walkie talkies can still be traced albeit it being more challenging and less accurate than locating it with a GPS. Assuming the walkie talkie does not have any GPS functions, one can trace the location of a walkie using triangulation, trilateration and fox hunting methods due to the radio waves released when the device is on.[2]Can Walkie Talkies be traced?
Do walkie talkies work through walls?
Walkie talkie can work through the wall depending on whether you’re using a UHF or VHF walkie. UHF has a wider signal range than VHF and thus tends to penetrate any objects that is in the path of transmission better. Thus, it can be said that a UHF walkie can penetrate walls but that will depend on the strength of the brand/model of the walkie talkie and what range does it claim to work.[3]Do Walkie Talkies Work Through Walls?
Are walkie talkies good for emergencies?
Walkie talkies are great as a form of communication during emergencies and can be quite reliable. They can be an excellent replacement for cases of emergencies when phone and network lines are down. This is because they rely on radio waves to communicate and it also functions on batteries which can be easily swapped with any other household items that uses batteries. The modern brands and models have additional nifty features that can be a lifesaver during emergencies. These includes VOX activation, weather alerts, SOS signals etc.
References